For years it has been a thorny issue which has brought shame to our city.

Street drinkers, many of whom hang out in a rose garden in London Road, close to Gloucester city centre, have upset neighbours and intimidated scores of visitors and passers-by with their antisocial - and sometimes violent - behaviour.

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Councillor Jennie Watkins, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods at Gloucester City Council (Con, Kingsway), said: “We want to reassure residents that the city council are working hard to tackle anti social behaviour.

“We met with partners and residents two weeks ago to talk about concerns and possible solutions. We want to target the roots of these issues not just move people on.

"We are working with partners such as the police, Project Solace and P3 to talk to people who are drinking in the area as they may need support from housing or drug and alcohol services.“

Any order would come after 35 people signed a petition earlier this year asking the council to ban the drinking of alcohol in the rose garden.

Charity Easton, director at Change Grow Live, which looks to tackle drug and alcohol misuse across the county, said: " We understand alcohol can lead to antisocial behaviour which can have a real impact on local communities.

"We are working collaboratively with all services in Gloucestershire to support people who experience issues with alcohol, including those who would be impacted if proposed plans by the city centre no alcohol zone are introduced in Gloucester.”